Eight fabulously potent punch bowls

Don’t let these temporarily balmy temperatures fool you—the holidays are fast approaching. Which means it’s time to indulge in two of the festive season’s major activities: drinking and sharing. There’s no better way to get into the spirit (ahem) than by dipping in to a boozy punch. Here are eight of the city’s most fabulous bowls that’ll turn any gathering into a celebration.

(Image: Caroline Aksich)

It can be hazardous cradling a piping-hot cup of mulled wine while busting out your best Forrest Gump moves, so the folks at Spin have put the holiday favourite on ice. To achieve that warm spicy taste, the bartenders leave a tea steeper filled with cloves, cinnamon, orange peel and star anise to infuse in water for a whole week. The brew is then mixed with a bottle of red wine, four ounces of Cointreau and a squeeze of lemon juice. $50. Serves four or more. 461 King St. W., 416-599-7746, toronto.wearespin.com, @SPIN_Toronto

The word punch is borrowed from the Sanskrit word for five (पञ्च), referring to the five ingredients that were originally used to make it: alcohol (of course), sugar, lemon juice, tea and water. The Indian Street Food Company’s Royal Punch is served in bowls made of kansa metal (the same thing used to make cymbals) imported from Rajasthan. This fruit-filled bowl contains a blend of peach purée, pomegranate juice, vodka, apricot brandy and orange-spiced black tea. $29. Serves four to six. 1701 Bayview Ave., 416-322-3270, indianstreetfoodco.com, @IndianSFco

Parkdale’s Polynesian bar, Miss Thing’s, just might have the best glassware collection in Toronto. We’re particularly obsessed with this vintage Hollywood Regency–style bronze pineapple, which is used to serve the Ohana Tai. While the name is a reference to the ’90s sitcom Family Ties (“Ohana” is Hawaiian for “family”), the drink itself is a play on a mai tai. Two types of aged rum are blended with Cointreau, orgeat syrup, lime juice and orange blossom water. A few dashes of house-made bitters add some savoury depth. $48. Serves four. 1279 Queen St. W., 416-516-8677, missthings.com, @missthingsbar